It is the responsibility of all our Member Clubs to ensure that athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, Coaches, Team Trainers and Team Officials confirm, through Confirmation Receipt, every year that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources.
Ontario is a national leader in concussion management and prevention. Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 makes it mandatory for sports organizations to:
The purpose of Rowan’s Law legislation is to promote culture change and make participation in amateur competitive sport safer. There are no enforcement or monitoring provisions in Rowan’s Law.
It is up to entities and individuals to ensure that they comply with the laws of Ontario.
If an organization does not comply with the laws of Ontario, then the organization assumes any liability risk associated with non-compliance.
For a full review of the Rowan’s Law provincial legislation, please click here.
NOTE TO PROVINCIAL, TERRITORIAL AND LOCAL SOCCER ORGANIZATIONS
As part of a pre-season concussion education strategy, we recommended:
Baseline (pre-season) testing of youth (<18 years)><18 years) and adult recreational athletes using any tool or combination of tools is not required for post-injury care of those who sustain a suspected or diagnosed concussion and is not recommended.
For the communication between physicians and soccer coaches, team officials and clubs we recommend using: Canada Soccer’s Concussion Assessment Report, available @ canadasoccer.com.
Generic concussion reporting letters are also available through Parachute Canada:
Generic concussion reporting Letter
SUMMARY
A concussion is a brain injury.
All concussions should be regarded as potentially serious.
Most concussions recover completely with correct management.
Incorrect management of a concussion can lead to further injury.
Concussions should be managed according to current guidelines.
Anyone with suspected concussion following an injury must be immediately removed from playing or training and receive a prompt assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. Concussions are managed by licensed health care professionals working within their scope of practice and expertise.
Concussions are managed by a limited period of rest followed by avoiding physical and brain activities that make concussive symptoms worse, and once concussion related symptoms have resolved, a step-wise return to school, work and sports-related activities.
Return to education or work must take priority over return to playing soccer.
Concussion symptoms must have completely resolved and documented medical clearance completed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner must be received before resuming full contact practice or game play.
The recurrence of concussion symptoms subsequent to the return to full contact practice or game play requires removal from training or playing and reassessment.
FURTHER RESOURCES
WEBSITES
Concussion Awareness Training Tool: www.cattonline.com
Parachute: www.parachutecanada.org/concussion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP/
Ontario Ministry of Health Concussion Resources for Youth: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-government-concussion-awareness-resource-e-booklet-ages-10-and-under
VIDEOS
What happens when you have a concussion? - Clifford Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvjK-4NXRsM